The Lockheed C-130 Hercules was originally designed as an airborne transport aircraft, but was adapted to perform a variety of tasks. These include special operations (at low altitude and for landing), direct air support and isolation of the war zone, rescue of space capsules, search and rescue operations, air refueling, weather mapping and reconnaissance, electronic surveillance, fire fighting, spraying, disaster relief, etc.
Lockheed Hercules are currently used for tactical air travel within the theater of operations. This medium-range aircraft is able to take off from uneven ground strips and is the main transport for landing and equipment in the field of operations.
History of creation
On August 23, 1954, Lockheed Martin Corporation performed a test flight of the YC-130A. He flew from Burbank, California, where the Skank Works Aircraft Company is located, to Edwards Air Force Base. In total, two prototypes were assembled, and the remaining 2,500 aircraft were manufactured in Marietta, Georgia.
The first model was the C-130A with four Allison T56-A-9 turboprop engines and three-blade propellers. A total of 219 units were ordered. The first production aircraft took off on April 7, 1955, and deliveries began in December 1956. Two DC-130A were also built, capable of transporting and launching from underwing pylons up to four unmanned aerial vehicles. Special equipment was removable, which made it possible to use the aircraft as a cargo vessel containing 5 standard pallets, assault vehicles (AC-130) or ambulances.
More than six decades after the start of production, Hercules broke all records for the duration of the production of military transport aircraft. In total, more than 2500 C-130s were manufactured. The aircraft currently operates in 68 countries.
The main characteristics of the first "Hercules" are as follows:
- Length - 29.3 m.
- Height - 11.4 m.
- Wingspan - 39.7 m.
- Speed - 600 km / h at an altitude of 6000 m.
- Ceiling - 10,000 m with a load of 45 tons.
- Take-off weight - 37.65 tons.
- The maximum quality factor of Lockheed C-130A is 17.
U.S. Air Force
Hercules C-130B was commissioned in June 1959. A total of 134 units were manufactured. Model B was distinguished by an Allison T56-A-7 turboprop engine, 4 blades, the ability to carry extra fuel in the wings and a reinforced chassis. Several C-130Bs have been used to extinguish fires and are still in service with the US National Guard. In 1961, 6 aircraft were converted for air interception of reconnaissance spacecraft.
During the Vietnam conflict, some C-130As were modified into AC-130 attack aircraft. In addition to the 20 mm side Vulcan guns and 7.62 mm Miniguns, they were equipped with sensors, target detection and night vision systems, as well as the FLIR airborne front-view infrared system.
Several models A, renamed C-130D, were equipped with a chassis for operation in the Arctic, as well as to replenish the stocks of the early warning line. The two main skis are 6 meters long, 1.8 meters wide and weigh 907 kg each. The nasal ski measures 3 by 1.8 m. Model D also had an increased fuel supply and was equipped with a JATO jet take-off device. It was used by the National Guard and was later replaced by the LC-130H.
Latest models
C-130E is a modification of the C-130B with an increased range. A total of 369 aircraft were ordered, deliveries of which began in April 1962. The maximum parking mass of the model increased to 70.307 tons, which is 9.072 tons more than modification B. The capacity of the fuel tank increased by 7.711 tons. More powerful Allison T engines appeared -56-A-7A and a pair of 5148 liter external tanks under the wings between them. Changing the design of the wing, eliminating the fatigue and corrosion of the model, extended the life of the aircraft in the XXI century.
Like modification E, new T56-A-T5 turboprop engines were installed in the C-130H, the avionics were replaced, the wing changed, etc. Deliveries began in July 1974. In total, more than 350 C-130H aircraft and its derivatives were built. This model has become the most massive of all modifications: as of the end of 1979, orders for its production reached a value of 565 units.
C-130J is the latest modification of the aircraft. It is faster, more economical, flies higher and further, and starts and sits in shorter lanes. The main improvements were digital avionics, color multifunctional LCD displays, a duplicated inertial navigation system, digital autopilot and GPS. The aircraft is equipped with a fully integrated protection system, an energy-saving color radar, 4 new Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 turboprop engines with a capacity of 3424 kW each, six-blade propellers with a diameter of 4.11 m.
Increase efficiency
The company is trying to increase the Lockheed C-130 quality factor, and with it the fuel efficiency, by increasing lift and lower drag. Success was achieved through microstabilizers, winglets and a lift distribution system.
Microstabilizers are small stripes on the fuselage, reducing natural turbulence. They reduce the load on the hull and allow attacking tail currents in places inaccessible to traditional stabilizers.
The lift distribution system improves the Lockheed C-130's quality factor by raising the ailerons to unload the cantilever, shifting the load toward the center and reducing the need for fuel to reduce wing bending. Thanks to this, it was possible to increase the maximum load mass in the C-130H by 21% and C-130J - by 10%.
The design of the end aerodynamic surface, or winglet, also helps to reduce drag and increase the Lockheed C-130's quality factor. This results in a 1-3% fuel economy or 4% increase in flight range for the C-130J.
US Navy and Marine Corps
The Hercules C-130 first entered the US Navy in 1960, when 4 130F aircraft arrived to complete missions in the Antarctic. These Hercules-equipped skis were soon followed by 46 KC-130F models purchased by the Marine Corps in 1962 to serve as assault vehicles and air tankers for fighters and attack aircraft. In the same year, the Navy received 7 units of C-130F without equipment for transport tasks. The KC-130F completed its first test flight in January 1960. The refueling version can simultaneously refuel 2 aircraft 13 627 liters of fuel from the cargo compartment. Fuel is supplied via two removable fueling units located on the underwing pylons.
In 1965, the US Navy's military transport aircraft was replenished with several C-130Gs to support the Polaris submarines and replace their crews. As in model F, their structural strength was increased, which allowed them to increase the payload. In all versions, the crew cabin and cargo compartment are sealed, equipped with a refueling system and Doppler navigation. Four of these aircraft were later modified into TACAMO repeater aircraft and renamed the EC-130G. After the E-6A came to replace them, three units were converted into transport (although without a cargo ramp) TC-130G.
Another model, the EC-130Q, was in service in two VQ squadrons. A radio transmitter was installed on it, and it acted as a strategic communications aircraft with ballistic missile submarines.
Statistics
More than 145 Hercules aircraft were used during Desert Shield and Desert Storm operations. They transported units to advanced bases. From August 10, 1990, until the ceasefire, 46,500 sorties took place within the C-130 responsibility area, transporting more than 209 thousand people and 300 thousand tons of cargo. After the outbreak of hostilities, these US military aircraft provided logistical support, evacuation of the wounded, and tactical mobility. During the 100-hour ground campaign, the C-130 made more than 500 sorties per day.
Features
The design of the C-130 is distinguished by the height of the floor located at the side of the truck, the horizontal rear ramp, as well as an unclosed, sealed cargo compartment, which can be quickly reconfigured to transport troops, wounded or passengers. Hercules can also be used for landing troops and equipment, as well as for delivering heavy cargoes from low altitudes using exhaust parachutes.
Cargo hold
C-130 can carry more than 19 051 kg of cargo. The rollers on the floor provide quick and easy handling of freight pallets and can be removed to leave a flat surface if necessary. Five pallets (plus an entry luggage pallet) can be loaded onto the aircraft through the main hydraulically-operated ramp-door located at the rear of the aircraft. The ramp can also be lowered to the ground for loading and unloading wheeled vehicles. Tie fittings for securing cargo are located throughout the compartment.
As a passenger flying vehicle, the S-130 Hercules can accommodate 92 soldiers or 64 paratroopers in full outfit on the side seats. In the role of a medical aircraft, it can transport 74 stretchers with sick and wounded, as well as two medical workers.
Unloading
Military transport aircraft provides three main ways of air delivery of equipment and materials:
- In the first case, cargo weighing up to 19 051 kg is dropped by parachutes, which are opened after leaving the cargo compartment.
- The second method, called the container delivery system, uses one force of gravity to drop from one to 16 bales weighing up to 998 kg. After the last bale leaves the plane, parachutes open and lower the load to the ground.
- With the third method of unloading, 17,237 kg of cargo is pushed out of the plane by large cargo parachutes when the aircraft is 1.5-3 m above the ground. After a short glide, the load stops.
Wings and fuel tanks
The fully cantilevered wings contain four primary and two auxiliary fuel tanks. Two external tanks are installed under the wings. This gives the C-130 the ability to carry 36,075 liters of fuel.
Chassis
The modified three-wheeled landing gear consists of a front pair and tandem main wheels and allows the aircraft to be operated on uneven, unprepared runways. The main wheels retract vertically into the fuselage fairings, and the nose folds forward into the fuselage. A power steering is integrated in the front chassis.
Power supply
Lockheed C-130 Hercules Mod H is powered by five 40 kVA alternators. Four of them are driven by engines, and one is controlled by an auxiliary power unit (APU). In modification E, one 20-kVA generator is powered by an air-turbine engine. Direct current is supplied from alternating current sources through four 200-ampere transformer rectifiers and from one 24-volt battery with a capacity of 36 ampere-hours.
Hydraulics
Four motor-driven pumps provide 200 atmospheres for primary and booster systems. An electric AC motor supplies pressure to the auxiliary system and is duplicated by a hand pump. Hydraulics maintains constant pressure during aircraft maneuvers with zero or negative overloads.
Elongated Hercules
A number of military operators use the civilian version of Hercules, which has the designation L-100. Certified in February 1965, the L-100 is an analogue of the C-130 Hercules modification E without refueling pylons and military equipment. L-100-20 was extended by inserts 1.5 m long before and 1 m after the wing. The fuselage L-100-30 is extended by 4.6 m.